What a fine time for Manning – rolling with the highest-scoring offense in NFL history – to have his worst game of the year.

With a championship on the line and more than 100 million viewers, Manning went Least Mode.

The first snap of the game whizzed past Manning as he attempted to switch the play at the line of scrimmage, and when Knowshon Moreno covered in the end zone for a safety, the Seattle Seahawks had a quick lead, two-zip, 12 seconds into the game.

You may have imagined that Manning could be involved in the fastest opening score in Super Bowl history, but not quite like that. His center, Manny Ramirez, jumped the shotgun snap.

It was the noise. Ramirez couldn't hear Manning's cadence as he barked signals.

He thought he heard something and snapped the ball.

"None of us heard the snap count," Ramirez said. "I thought I did."

What an omen.

On Saturday night, it was officially revealed (finally) at a glitzy, made-for-TV NFL event, that Manning won his record fifth MVP award.

On Sunday night, he was treated like a scrub by the NFL's best defense.

Did someone mention ducks?

The first pick, late in the first quarter, was a wobbly throw over the middle that lost its way and fluttered over Julius Thomas' head. It landed softly into the hands of safety Kam Chancellor.

The next interception, late in the second quarter, was caused by speed-rushing Cliff Avril, who crashed into Manning as the pocket collapsed. The ball floated to Malcolm Smith – the same linebacker whose deflected pickoff in the end zone sealed the NFC title game victory against the San Francisco 49ers -- who ran it back 69 yards for the 22-zip lead.

It was the longest interception return for a touchdown in a Super Bowl since Tracy Porter's 74-yard runback late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIV, which sealed the New Orleans Saints victory.

Manning was the quarterback for that pick-six, too.

Time for a quick legacy check. The facts are rather cruel. Manning has more regular-season MVP awards than anyone in history, and in 2013 passed for more TDs (55) and yards (5,477) in a season than anyone in history. And he owns dozens of other records.

Manning still ranks as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever.

He can try again next year to become the first quarterback to win Super Bowls with two franchises.

But at the moment, Manning has a losing career postseason record (11-12) and a 1-2 Super Bowl mark. And he can't reverse the historical trend that mandates that great defenses manhandle great offenses and their marquee quarterbacks.

On Sunday night, he made the mistakes that the kid quarterback on the other side didn't.

Manning committed three turnovers – the two picks and a fumble – while second-year Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had a flawless, turnover-free night.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson dives for the first down marker while defended by Denver Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers and strong safety Duke Ihenacho during the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; A general view fireworks during the national anthem before the start of Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-131860 ORIG FILE ID: 20140202_jtl_sj8_005.JPG (Photo: James Lang James Lang-USA TODAY Sports)